Ice hockey skate blade system

ABSTRACT

An ice-hockey blade system; the system includes an improved blade design for use by goaltenders. The blade includes a flat blade with curved toe and heel portions. The toe portion includes a set of skate-blade pics of a unique radial design. The disclosed system enables enhanced lateral and other player movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of ice hockey skates and more specifically relates to goalie skate runners removably fastened to the blade holders of the skate boots.

2. Description of Related Art

The physical geometry of an ice-hockey skate blade is a primary factor influencing a player's overall performance on the ice. Even small changes in runner shape can produce large impact on player's acceleration, speed, maneuverability, and stability on the ice. For this reason, a player's blade geometry must be carefully considered. The design of a goalie's skate blades is particularly important to maximizing performance at the net. Goaltenders must be adept at lateral skating and quick pivoting. Conventional goalie blades are straight and relatively flat, thus allowing the player to move quickly side-to-side. To enhance this feature, many goaltenders utilize shallow-cut blade hollows (i.e., a rounded valley, centered on the bottom of the blade) to allow for easier side-to-side movement. This profile preference provides more “glide” but less “grip”. Currently, a player must settle on a profile that strikes a balance between these two features, without performing either well. Clearly, a new blade geometry overcoming this limitation would benefit many. The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Prior attempts have been made to overcome the above-noted limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,270 to Granger relates to a skate blade for balance and performing skating skills. The described skate blade for balance and performing skating skills includes an ice-skate blade formed to increase the balance of a skater upon an ice-skate blade. The blade may incorporate indentations in one or more both of the following position: a portion of the front section of the skate blade; and a portion of the rear section of the skate blade. Such indentations may be a series of serrated cuts or otherwise formed notches in the lower blade edge. The blade may be formed in a variety of sizes, and may be connectable to a variety of skate boots. A skater utilizing the blade of the present invention will be assisted with regaining balance upon the blade upon experiencing unbalance, and assisted with maintaining balance upon the skate blade. The blade functions in a manner that allows a skater to learn and develop skating skills. Unfortunately, the Granger device places the serrated cuts in a position unsuitable for use by a goaltender. More specifically, the low position of the indentations within the front middle blade section prematurely engages the ice surface, which slows the goalie's momentum, gliding, and flow. Moreover, the Granger device fails to disclose the unique radial pick geometry of the claimed system described below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known ice hockey skate art, the present disclosure provides a novel ice hockey skate blade system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a re-engineered ice-hockey skate blade. The blade provides an improved design for use by goaltenders. The blade includes a flat blade with a radius toe portion having set of skate-blade pics of a unique design. The disclosed design enables enhanced lateral and other player movements.

An ice-hockey blade system is disclosed herein. The ice-hockey blade system includes an elongated blade member may having an upper portion that may include at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of the upper portion to at least one ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion having an ice contact edge, the ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, the curved toe portion may include a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a heel portion.

A method of using the ice-hockey blade system to increase the performance of an ice-hockey boot is also disclosed herein. The method of using the ice-hockey blade system may comprise the steps of: identifying an existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot having a removable elongated blade member; designing a new removable elongated blade member usable with the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, such new removable elongated blade member including an upper portion that may include at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of the upper portion to the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion having an ice contact edge, the ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, the curved toe portion may have a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a heel portion. The method of using the ice-hockey blade system may further comprise the step of providing the new removable elongated blade member by modifying an existing removable elongated blade member of the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an ice hockey skate blade system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ice-hockey blade system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ice-hockey blade system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is the detail side view 3 of FIG. 2, enlarged for clarity, showing a preferred curved toe portion of the ice-hockey blade system, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view through the section 4-4 of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for increasing the performance of an ice-hockey boot, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to ice hockey skates and more particularly to an ice hockey skate blade system as used to improve a skate runner that may be removably fastened to the blade holder of a goalie skate.

Generally, the present system relates to re-engineered blades for goalie skates. More particularly, the new design disclosed herein is a skate blade (also referred to herein as a skate runner), which combines features found to substantially increase a goalie's performance at the net. These features include a flat-blade central portion integrated with a radius tip equipped with blade picks. Each radius tip may have at least four blade picks that increases the netminder's ability to perform lateral and other movements. More specifically, the system incorporates a serrated toe on the blade for assisting in getting up and pushing off. The blade is flat on the bottom so as not to cause traction when moving from side to side. The toe includes a unique set of serrated picks.

The skate blade can be manufactured as part of the skate or be a replacement/interchangeable blade for an existing skate boot. The disclosed blade is quickly interchangeable and can be paired with any brand-name skate boot.

The new tow pick system allows great start and stopping and still provides easy side-to-side motion, without catching edges, which greatly benefits goaltenders who prefer a “dull” blade profile. The disclosed system was found to enhance lateral movement up to 20 to 25%.

The system also provides a method of modifying an existing aftermarket blade wherein the blade profile is modified by a machining process, for example, by an EDM electrical discharge machine. This machine burns a new profile into the existing skate blade to achieve the presently-disclosed design. Thus, the features of the claimed system may be adapted to any brand of goalie skate in seconds. This new design will give a goaltender that extra inch or second that these athletes are looking for to reach their next level of play.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of an ice-hockey blade system 100. FIG. 1 shows an ice-hockey blade system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the ice-hockey blade system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the ice-hockey blade system 100 may include an elongated blade member 102 that may have an upper portion 104 including at least one coupler receiver 106 adapted to enable removable coupling of the upper portion 104 to an ice-hockey skate boot 3, and a lower portion 107 that may have an ice contact edge 108, such ice contact edge 108 including a curved toe portion 110, such curved toe portion 110 that may have a set of blade picks 112, as shown. The lower portion 107 may further include a flat mid portion 116 and a heel portion 118, as shown.

Embodiments of the ice-hockey blade system 100 may include only the elongated blade member 102 or may be supplied with both the blade member 102 and the ice-hockey skate boot 3. In this alternate arrangement, a complete ice-skate assembly may be supplied to a user in a pre-assembled form, as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the detail side view 3 of FIG. 2, enlarged for clarity, showing a preferred curved toe portion 110 of the ice-hockey blade system 100, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. As above, the set of blade picks 112 of the curved toe portion 110 may include at least four individual blade picks 112 projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point 114, as shown. Each blade pick 112 may include a triangular-shaped member having opposing sidewalls 120 arranged symmetrically about an axis of symmetry 124, as shown. Such opposing sidewalls 120 converge to form an apex point 122 intersecting such axis of symmetry 124. It is again noted that the axis of symmetry 124 of each of the blade pick 112 intersects the common center point 114.

The curved toe portion 110 includes an outer peripheral edge 126 defined by an arc segment 128, as shown. The arc segment 128 may have a constant radius R1 originating at the common center point 114. Note that the apex points 122 do not extend outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of the blade; more specifically, the apex point 122 of each blade pick 112 is located within a region of the curved toe portion 110 bounded by the arc segment 128. In the depicted embodiment, the apex point 122 of each blade pick 112 falls on the arc segment 128, as shown. This feature of the system prevents the blade from deeply gouging the ice during play and adds an additional level of player safety.

In one preferred embodiment of the present system, the radius R1 of such arc segment 128 is about 0.5 inch, the length L1 of each opposing sidewall 120 of the blade pick 112 is about 0.125 inch, and a distance of separation D1 between adjacent apex points 122 is about 0.125 inch. In this arrangement, the angular separation Q1 between adjacent such lines of symmetry 124 is about 14.36 degrees. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other pick arrangements such as, for example, adding additional picks, using fewer picks, arranging the picks on alternate geometries, etc., may be sufficient.

In the depicted embodiment, the ice contact edge 108 may further include at least one curving transition portion 132 smoothly joining the flat mid portion 116 and the curved toe portion 110. The curving transition portion 132 may be defined by one or more radii R3, each one having lengths greater than the constant radius R1 of the curved toe portion 110. In addition, the heel portion 118 of such elongated blade member 102 may include a curved shape, as shown.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the embodiments of ice-hockey blade system 100 may be sold as a kit 152. The kit 152 may include instructions 155 such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the system (such that the system can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner).

Embodiments of the ice-hockey blade system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of ice hockey applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, providing customized parts, providing different physical combinations, providing parts that may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring again to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the coupler receiver 106 is adapted to operate with at least one coupler assembly 5 of a commercially-available version of the ice-hockey skate boot 3. In the depicted embodiment, the blade is held within the blade holder 7 by a rear hook 121 and front retaining bolt 123 in a manner generally matching those used in a line of hockey skates produced by BAUER Hockey, Inc. of Exeter, N.H., U.S.A. Other ice hockey skate boots and holders suitable for use with the present system include, but are not limited to, products produced by TRUE, CCM, Reebok, Graf, Tuuk, Reebok, among others. It should be noted that the arrangements of the mechanism used to attach the blade to the blade holder 7 may vary between manufacturers. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of hockey-skate blade retention as described herein, other brand-specific methods of attachment and removal will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of the ice-hockey blade system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the ice-hockey blade system 100 may include a width W1 of at least about 0.10 inch, although other widths are contemplated. Further, the ice contact edge 108 may include a linear concave hollow 130 formed along a length of at least the flat mid portion 116 of the elongated blade member 102 (see FIG. 2). Because the blade picks 112 of the present system provide enhanced maneuverability of customary blades, a player may use a shallower (“dull”) profile with a larger radius R4 for increased side-to-side glide ability, without sacrificing overall performance.

As noted above, the elongated blade member 102 of ice-hockey blade system 100 may be formed by modifying an existing commercially-available ice-hockey blade to include the curved toe portion 110 with blade picks 112 projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by such common center point 114. The blade may be modified by one or more machining processes. For example, the blade may be modified using a CNC machining process. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) is used extensively in manufacturing and involves the use of computers to control machine tools. Tools that can be controlled in this manner include lathes, mills, routers and grinders. The machining process applied the new profile into the existing skate blade to achieve the presently-disclosed design. One example of a suitable CNC machining process is an automated Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM). The machining process applies the new profile into the existing skate blade to achieve the presently-disclosed design. Thus, the features of the claimed system may be adapted to any brand of goalie skate. FIG. 5 describes one method of the present system relating to such modifications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other custom-blade arrangements such as, for example, providing a means for producing a user-customized blade cut from a metal blank, etc., may be sufficient.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 500 for increasing the performance of an ice-hockey boot, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method 500 may include the steps of: step 502, identifying an existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot having a removable elongated blade member; step 504, designing a new removable elongated blade member usable with the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, such new removable elongated blade member including an upper portion may include at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of the upper portion to the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion may have an ice contact edge, the ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, the curved toe portion may have a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a heel portion. The method 500 further may include step 506 of providing the new removable elongated blade member by modifying an existing removable elongated blade member of the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot.

It should be noted that step 506 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of the method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of the method 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for ice-hockey blade system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The above-described embodiments of the system may be constructed from one or more rigid materials, preferably a metallic material, more preferably, a steel composition. Steel compositions suitable for use in implementing the present system include high-carbon steel or stainless steel. Alternate blade materials may include an aluminum alloy joined with a stainless steel runner. The steel may be annealed, tempered, or cold-rolled. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other material selections such as, for example, titanium composites, other alloys, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An ice-hockey blade system comprising: an elongated blade member having an upper portion including at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of said upper portion to at least one ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion having an ice contact edge, said ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, said curved toe portion having a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a heel portion.
 2. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein said set of blade picks includes at least four individual blade picks.
 3. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 2, wherein: each said blade pick includes a triangular member having opposing sidewalls arranged symmetrically about an axis of symmetry, said opposing sidewalls converging to form an apex point intersecting said axis of symmetry; and said axis of symmetry of each said blade pick intersects said common center point.
 4. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 3, wherein: said curved toe portion includes an outer peripheral edge; said outer peripheral edge is defined by an arc segment having a constant radius originating at said common center point; and said apex point of each said blade pick is located within a region of said curved toe portion bounded by said arc segment.
 5. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 4, wherein said apex point of each said blade pick falls on said arc segment.
 6. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 4, wherein the radius of said arc segment is about 0.5 inch.
 7. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 4, wherein the length of each opposing sidewall of said blade pick is about 0.125 inch.
 8. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 4, wherein a distance of separation between adjacent said apex points is about 0.125 inch.
 9. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 4, wherein an angular separation between adjacent said lines of symmetry is about 14.36 degrees.
 10. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein said at least one coupler receiver is adapted to operate with at least one coupler of a commercially-available version of the at least one ice-hockey skate boot.
 11. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein: said elongated blade member includes at least one existing commercially-available ice-hockey blade adapted to include said curved toe portion having said set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by said common center point.
 12. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein said heel portion of said elongated blade member includes a curved shape.
 13. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein the width of said elongated blade member is at least 0.10 inch.
 14. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein said ice contact edge includes a linear concave hollow formed along a length of at least said flat mid portion of said elongated blade member.
 15. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, wherein: said ice contact edge further includes at least one curving transition portion smoothly joining said flat mid portion and said curved toe portion; and said at least one curving transition portion defined by a set of radii, each one having lengths greater than said constant radius of said curved toe portion.
 16. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 1, further including the at least one ice-hockey skate boot.
 17. An ice-hockey blade system comprising: an elongated blade member having an upper portion including at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of said upper portion to at least one ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion having an ice contact edge, said ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, said curved toe portion having a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a curved heel portion; wherein said set of blade picks includes at least four individual blade picks; wherein each said blade pick includes a triangular member having opposing sidewalls arranged symmetrically about an axis of symmetry, said opposing sidewalls converging to form an apex point intersecting said line of symmetry; wherein said axis of symmetry of each said blade pick intersects said common center point; wherein said curved toe portion includes an outer peripheral edge; wherein said outer peripheral edge is defined by an arc segment having a constant radius originating at said common center point; wherein said apex point of each said blade pick is located within a region of said curved toe portion bounded by said arc segment; wherein said apex point of each said blade pick falls on said arc segment; wherein the radius of said arc segment is about 0.5 inch; wherein the length of each opposing sidewall of said blade pick is about 0.125 inch; wherein a distance of separation between adjacent said apex points is about 0.125 inch; wherein an angular separation between adjacent said lines of symmetry is about 14.36 degrees; wherein said at least one coupler receiver is adapted to operate with at least one coupler of a commercially-available version of the at least one ice-hockey skate boot; wherein said elongated blade member is formed from at least one metallic composition; wherein the wide of said elongated blade member is at least 0.10 inch; and wherein said ice contact edge further includes at least one curving transition portion smoothly joining said flat mid portion and said curved toe portion; and said at least one curving transition portion defined by a set of radii, each one having lengths greater than said constant radius of said curved toe portion.
 18. The ice-hockey blade system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the ice-hockey blade system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method for increasing the performance of an ice-hockey boot, the method comprising the steps of: identifying an existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot having a removable elongated blade member; designing a new removable elongated blade member usable with the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, such new removable elongated blade member including an upper portion including at least one coupler receiver adapted to enable removable coupling of the upper portion to the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot, and a lower portion having an ice contact edge, the ice contact edge including a curved toe portion, the curved toe portion having a set of blade picks projecting outwardly in a radial pattern defined by a common center point, a flat mid portion, and a heel portion.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing the new removable elongated blade member by modifying an existing removable elongated blade member of the existing commercially-available ice-hockey skate boot. 